Absa Bank Ghana, in partnership with global payments firm Visa, has launched Absa Pay, a new tap-to-pay issuer wallet aimed at delivering faster, safer and more convenient contactless payments for customers across the country.
The product, which is fully integrated into the Absa Mobile Banking App, allows customers to make payments by simply tapping their mobile phones on any NFC-enabled terminal, eliminating the need for cash or physical cards. The launch reflects Absa Bank Ghana and Visa’s shared drive to advance digital transformation, deepen financial inclusion and improve everyday payment experiences for consumers and businesses.
Absa Pay is expected to resonate strongly with Ghana’s growing youth population and increasing demand for digital financial services, particularly among urban and tech-savvy users who are seeking simple and intuitive payment solutions that fit into their daily routines.
Speaking at the launch, the Executive Director for Retail and Business Banking at Absa Bank Ghana, Kobla Nyaletey, described the product as a major step in the bank’s digital journey. “Today marks a major milestone in our digital payment journey. Absa Pay is designed to make everyday payments simpler, safer and more convenient. With a young, digitally engaged population, Ghana is ready for a solution that brings the ease of tap-to-pay directly to mobile devices. We are excited to work with Visa to introduce an innovation that empowers customers with greater freedom and flexibility in how they pay,” he said.
The Country Manager for Visa Ghana, Fabrice Konan, said the collaboration was driven by a shared focus on building secure and inclusive payment solutions. “Behind every transaction is a real person, and our goal at Visa is to make every payment effortless. Our collaboration with Absa Bank reflects our shared focus on building secure, inclusive and innovative solutions that support the everyday needs of Ghanaians. Absa Pay is a meaningful step forward in advancing digital adoption and ensuring more consumers can benefit from fast, safe and reliable ways to pay,” he said.
Industry observers say the introduction of Absa Pay could significantly accelerate the adoption of contactless payments in Ghana, particularly for routine transactions such as groceries, fuel purchases, dining and retail shopping. Merchants are also expected to benefit from quicker checkout times, improved customer experience and broader digital payment acceptance.
The unveiling ceremony in Accra brought together financial service providers, fintech innovators, merchants and other key stakeholders within Ghana’s digital payments ecosystem. Guests were taken through live demonstrations and hands-on sessions that highlighted the ease and security of tap-to-pay transactions using Absa Pay.
Absa Bank Ghana and Visa said the new wallet forms part of their wider effort to reduce cash dependency and expand access to secure digital payment options nationwide, as Ghana continues its transition towards a more digitised economy.